Maduro Signals Readiness for State of Emergency in Venezuela Amid U.S. Tensions
CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is prepared to invoke a state of emergency granting him expanded powers, according to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, in response to escalating tensions with the United States.The move comes after recent U.S. actions targeting vessels allegedly involved in drug trafficking and amid longstanding accusations of Maduro’s involvement with drug trafficking, which he denies.
The U.S. has accused Maduro of involvement with drug trafficking and recently increased the reward for information leading to his arrest to $50 million. Recent U.S. military actions targeted at least four vessels suspected of transporting drugs, resulting in the deaths of over a dozen individuals identified by President Donald Trump as alleged traffickers, though he acknowledged lacking evidence confirming their criminal status.
According to Rodríguez, the declaration would authorize Maduro to mobilize Venezuela’s armed forces – the Bolivarian National Armed Forces – nationwide and assume control of public services, the oil industry, and other critical sectors. He would also be empowered to close Venezuela’s borders by land, sea, and air, and “activate all types of economic, political and social plans” to safeguard national security.
“The declaration seeks to protect territorial integrity,sovereignty,independence and vital strategic interests of our republic against any serious violation or external aggression that may have occurred against our territory,” Rodríguez stated on Monday.
Venezuela and the U.S. have experienced strained relations for years, marked by U.S. sanctions and accusations of authoritarianism against Maduro’s government. The potential invocation of emergency powers signals a further escalation in the ongoing dispute.
